Read: Hebrews 10:19-39
This section of scripture has three distinct parts to it. The first
part is very practical regarding how to live in the faith.
·
Draw near to God.
·
Don’t let go.
·
Purposely build up others and encourage them to do good works.
·
Get together with other believers regularly.
·
Make a point to keep your thoughts on Jesus’ return.
The writer wanted the Jewish believers to have direction and practical
guidance. They were being persecuted for their faith. When stress comes into
our lives it is easy to get distracted to the point that even our habits and
routines are thrown off. We might even forget to do some of the most basic
things. He reminds them this is no time to get distracted – stay on course!
The second aspect of this passage is a dire warning. This is a warning
about sin. It seemed some had been sold a lie, and they bought it, hook, line
and sinker. It’s a lie that lives today: It
doesn’t matter if you sin, God already forgave you, and what Jesus did on the
cross is finished, so once you are a Christian your sin is not held against you
anymore. It’s not true! The writer of Hebrews actually says the
consequences for sin are worse for us after we understand the gospel than what
they were for those who were stoned to death for breaking the Old Testament
Laws. We rouse the anger of a mighty, holy, and just God when we keep on habitually
and intentionally sinning after we’ve already been forgiven. He warns us that
this judgment will be awful. His warning should strike fear into the heart of
every believer and should drive us to obedience: “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God.” (verse 30b-31)
Encouragement is the third part to this
passage. The writer reminds these believers that right from the start things
were hard but they showed love and did what was right because they knew their
real possessions and prize were in heaven. Their hope for heaven and firm
belief that God would keep His promise toward them motivated them to care for
those who persecuted them and kept them going. He says to them, “Don’t give
up!” What they need now is not forgiveness, or healing, or deliverance, or joy,
or even understanding. Their need is endurance. Endurance is the ability to
hang on past the point of pain and to keep hanging on when everything in us
wants to let go. We cannot endure if there is no reward. So he reminds them
that Jesus is coming back soon and He WILL keep His promise to reward them. He
cheers them on and lets them know they can do it!
Journaling and Prayer
1. Take a look at the five bullet points above. Ask the Lord to tell you how
you are doing in each area, if you are doing well or need to improve. If He
says you need to improve ask Him what steps you should take. If you are doing
well ask Him to direct you on how to do this even more passionately.
2. Ask God to speak to you about your attitude toward sin. Ask Him to
evaluate whether or not you hate sin enough, and desire His holiness enough.
Ask the Holy Spirit for a clear picture, word, or thought that will help you
despise your own sin so you will not be tempted to walk back into bondage.
3. Do you endure or give up? Ask God to show you a time when you have given
up and a time when you have endured. Ask Him to help you put an end to giving
up and to create in you a new identity as one who endures to the very end. Ask
Him to give you a deep longing for Jesus’ return and to hear Him say, “Well
done my good and faithful servant.”
